John Barth, the postmodern master, is back with this collection of stories, which are gathered here for the first time in a single volume. Through his exploration of the nature of storytelling, and the uncanny power that language has in our lives, he offers the thrilling blend of playfulness and illuminating insight that have marked him as one of the postwar period's most distinguished writers. Here are tales of ageing, time possibility and relationships framed - in classically Barthian fashion - by the narration of a veteran writer, Graybard, and his flirtatious, insouciant muse, WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). During the eleven days that followed September 11, 2001, Graybard and WYSIWYG debate the meaning and relevance of writing and storytelling in the wake of disaster, or TEOTWAW (A) KI - The End Of The World As We (Americans) Knew It.